Aetna Springs Cellars

The family owned and operated AETNA SPRINGS CELLARS is a small vineyard/winery run by the extended Kimsey-Watson families. Three generations work together to make it a success. During the busiest times of the year, it is not unusual to see 13-year-old Caroline operating a foil machine alongside her 83-year-old grandfather, Jim. We produce ultra-premium wine in small quantities to delight those in search of rare and unique fine wines. Our Chardonnay and Merlot grapes come from the vineyard owned by the grandparents, Jim and Margaret Ann Watson. Their vineyard is located in the historic "Rutherford" appellation district in the heart of the beautiful Napa Valley. Grapes from their 'Hoatzin' [pronounced Watson], Vineyard had 10 years renown for producing award winning wines before AETNA SPRINGS CELLARS began in the late 1980's. Sally Kimsey, who practices veterinary medicine as 'Sally the Valley Vet,' is the Watsons's daughter. Her husband, Paul, a micro-biologist, is our winemaker, with strong support from his brother, Rob, who is a medical entomologist, and his sister-in-law, Lynne, a systematist, both at U. C. Davis. This team of wine connoisseur-scientists grows Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes on our Aetna Springs ranch, and, under the AETNA SPRINGS CELLARS label, produces wines of exceptional quality and value.

We have added to our varietals a specially blended Aetna Springs cuvee named for the bathtub full of rattlesnakes which the Pope Valley Garage keeps for the edification of young reptile-aficionados! This wonderfully complex, smooth, drinkable red table wine is coming to replace the 'just a glass of white wine, please' requests of all those who have tasted it....'the perfect picnic wine,' and, as you can see below, a great bargain.

Golden, full-bodied, with a rich supple and elegant texture....an intense chardonnay varietal character, smooth and buttery, with hints of toasty oak and nutmeg spice. Chardonnay grape yields are small and require special care in the wine-makig process to produce a fine, long-lived wine. Such care is reflected in the lovely balance of fruit, oak and acidity.

a textbook Merlot....deep ruby-colored wine with a spicy nose....scents cherries, boysenberries, currant and plum....medium body, excellent richness, fine purity and enough acidity to provide definition....a stylish, flavorful Merlot that can be drunk over the next 5-6 years. This Merlot joins the line of our award winning Merlots: Our 1998 Merlot won a gold medal at the New World International Wine Competition, Feb.2000, silver medal at the Calif. State Fair, June 2000, and most recently, Best of Class [i.e. best of all gold medal Merlot winners in the small wineries competition] at the Yr2000 Los Angeles County Fair